Holy Spirit Leading in All our Acts

 “Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, after they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭16‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke records, “The Holy Spirit had forbidden Paul and his partners to preach the word in the southwestern provinces of Turkey, so they ministered throughout the region of central and west-central Turkey. When they got as far west as the borders of Mysia, they repeatedly attempted to go north into the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to enter.”  Today’s capital of Turkey is Ankara which is situated in the area known as Galatia.  We do not know how the Holy Spirit kept them from going into Bithynia, but it could have been through a warning given by means of a dream or vision.  In any case, it is obvious the Holy Spirit was guiding His missionaries.  He is the Lord of the  Harvest Who prepares, imparts, gifts, anoints, and sends out His servants to gather the nations to Jesus Christ.  The book of Acts is best understood as the book of Activities of the Holy Spirit.  Here He is the “Spirit of Jesus”.  True and lasting fruit in ministry comes through the work and leading of the Spirit of Jesus. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.  Let’s be those who take the leading of the Holy Spirit seriously for that’s the only way to exalt Jesus through our life.  Amen!

Be a Harvester to bring Souls for God’s Kingdom

 “And it shall be as when the harvestman gathereth the corn, and reapeth the ears with his arm; and it shall be as he that gathereth ears in the valley of Rephaim. Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof, saith the LORD God of Israel.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭17‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesies, “It will be as when a farmer harvests the standing grain and gathers armloads of grain, and as one gathers ears of grain in the Valley of Giants. Yet some gleanings will remain, as when an olive tree is shaken, leaving two or three olives in the highest branches and four or five on its fruitful branches,” declares Lord Yahweh, the God of Israel.”  The Jesus Life within us will soon reap a harvest of glory and it always bears the beautiful harvest of righteousness! Good seeds of wisdom’s fruit will be planted with peaceful acts by those who cherish making peace.  Through mighty men and women, armloads of grain, the spiritual harvest of powerful sons and daughters of God, will be seen in the coming days. Olive is harvested by shaking the olive tree.  The two or three olives at the top are those who know the power of agreement in prayer when two or three gather in Jesus’s Name.  The fruitful branches are those who know to abide in the Vine and bear much fruit.    Let’s be those who believe Jesus when He says, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.”  Amen!

Christ is the End of the Law for Righteousness

 “But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭15‬:‭5‬, ‭8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke records, “But some of the believers who were of the religious group called “separated ones” were insistent, saying, “We must continue the custom of circumcision and require that the people keep the law of Moses.” God, who knows the hearts of every person, confirmed this when He gave them the Holy Spirit, just like He has given the Spirit to us.”  There are many who are bound by the old covenant law given by Moses, like the Pharisees. For they are ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, and have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.  Because we believe that Jesus became sin for us that we might be the righteousness of God in Him, that’s why we love and value others the same way we love and value ourselves and others for love makes it impossible to harm another, so love fulfills all that the law requires.  Let’s as believers be known for our cheerful generosity and love for others, so that people are drawn to Christ’s love through us.  Amen!

Pride Goes Before Destruction

 “Let mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab; be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler: for the extortioner is at an end, the spoiler ceaseth, the oppressors are consumed out of the land. And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭16‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied, “Allow the Moabite fugitives to stay with you. Be a shelter for them from the destroyer!” One day the oppressor will be no more. The destroyer will come to an end, and the tyrant will vanish from the land. Then a government of unfailing love will be established, with a faithful king in the tabernacle of David, passionate for justice and swift to do what is right.”  Moab’s pride was its destruction and it disappeared as a nation.  Wisdom has repeatedly said that pride leads to destruction and humility leads to honor.  The perfect example is the Lord Jesus Christ Who left His glorious majesty in heaven and humbled Himself to put on humanity on earth to tell us about God’s love, to die on the Cross and to rise again in resurrection power to give us new life.  He has now established His Throne in the hearts of those who acknowledge His Lordship.  He is the Son of David Who is the Son of God.  His Church which is His Body, is bringing souls into His Kingdom on earth till every tongue should confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  The Church is not preaching about themselves. The Church’s message is that Jesus Christ is Lord and He has sent us to love and serve one another.  We are God’s sons and daughters sent to serve humanity and win souls for Christ.  Amen!

Passionate for Christ

 “Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭14‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke records, “When the apostles understood what was happening, they were mortified and tore their clothes as a sign of dismay. They rushed into the crowd and shouted, “People, what are you doing? We’re only weak human beings like everyone else. This is why we’ve come to tell you the good news, so that you would turn away from these worthless myths and turn to the living God. He is the Creator of all things: the earth, the heavens, the sea, and everything they contain.”  There were more than twelve apostles who were recognised by the Church.  Barnabas is described multiple times as an apostle.  Paul said that apostles and prophets minister and equip the Body of Christ until we are complete and restored into Christ’s fullness.  Preaching the Gospel is about exalting Jesus Christ as the Living God.  People follow other humans to give them importance and give them exaltation rather than - only Christ.  Otherwise the propensity is to exalt a denomination or pastor or church.  But as Paul and Barnabas passionately avoided such actions and only exalted the Living God Who made heaven and earth and sea and all things that are therein.  Let’s passionately love Jesus and glorify only Him.  Amen!

Saved from the Wrath of God by Christ’s Sacrifice

 “In their streets they shall gird themselves with sackcloth: on the tops of their houses, and in their streets, every one shall howl, weeping abundantly.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭15‬:‭3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied, “They pour into the streets wearing sackcloth. In public and in private, they fall down sobbing.”  This was a prophecy of judgment on Moab, an enemy of the people of God.  Today, in the new covenant, Jesus has borne the judgment on all humanity at the Cross of Calvary and whoever believes in Him becomes a child of God and judgment has passed over from all believers.  This is the Gospel and it is the only power that saves us.  We are no longer enemies of God, living in rebellion, but we are the people of God, His children - sons and daughters - simply by faith in the Blood Sacrifice of Jesus. Paul was given this revelation, “Much more then, having now been justified by His Blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.”  The only way we are saved from the wrath of God is by being justified by the Blood of Jesus.  Let’s give this good news, this Gospel to everyone we meet.  Amen!

Co-Labouring as God’s Sons & Daughters in Christ

 “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭13‬:‭2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke records, “While they were worshiping as priests before the Lord in prayer and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “I have called Barnabas and Saul to do an important work for Me.  Now, release them to go and fulfill it.”  Here we see the Church was praying as priests to perform the work of the Lord. For the Lord of the harvest, the Holy Spirit, was sending out labourers into the harvest field. The Holy Spirit speaks in many different ways.  Perhaps He spoke a prophecy through one of the prophets in the Church, or a divine voice may have interrupted their worship.  God’s Spirit still speaks today in any way He chooses.  The true Church, the Church that is prepared to be the Bride of Christ, still speaks today, knowing and experiencing the Holy Spirit move powerfully and doing the will of God on earth as it is in heaven.  Let’s move as led by the Spirit of God as sons and daughters of the living God to co-labour with Him to fulfil His work.  Amen!

Jesus Christ is Lord

 “For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭14‬:‭13‬-‭15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied, “You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend into heaven and exalt my throne above the stars of God. I will rule on the mountain of the congregation, on the highest place of the sacred mountain. I will rise past the tops of the clouds and rival the Most High God!’ Yet down to the underworld you go— into the depths of the pit!”  Although this was spoken to the king of Babylon but it is speaking of the fall of Lucifer to becoming satan.  This created being was closest to the Presence of God, but his attitude caused his fall.  When he spoke in his heart that he will ascend and exalt his throne above the stars of God, that he will rule on the highest place of the sacred mountain, that he will rival the Most High God, he thought God wouldn’t know what was in his heart.  He chose his free will to make these decisions and took a third of angels with him when he fell.  Jesus said, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”  In our culture today there are many who imagine themselves to be gods and take worship from fellow humans.  The end of such is torment forever and ever, that has not been experienced by any.  All those in rebellion against the sovereignty of the True and Living Most High God and who do not have the fear of God in them, will end in this sad way for eternity.  Let those who have Jesus Christ as their Lord and the Light of the Glorious Gospel in them preach it fervently in these end times.  Amen!

The Reality of the Spiritual Realm for Believers in Christ

 “And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. 23 And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭12‬:‭7‬, ‭23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke records, “when all at once an angel of the Lord appeared, filling his prison cell with a brilliant light. The angel struck Peter on the side to awaken him and said, “Hurry up! Let’s go!” Instantly the chains fell off his wrists. 23 Immediately, an angel of the Lord struck Herod with a sickness, an infestation of worms, because he accepted the people’s worship and didn’t give the glory to God, and he died.”  The angel of the Lord here is as a rescuer from God to Peter who is persecuted for preaching the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.  This same word “struck” is the word used for Jesus being “struck” for our sins.  Jesus had spoken this to His disciples, “Along the way Jesus said to them, “Before the night is over, you will all desert Me.  This will fulfill the prophecy of the Scripture that says: I will strike down the shepherd and all the sheep will scatter far and wide!”  Jesus was pierced in His side to awaken hearts to God.  Peter was awakened from his sleep by the angel of the Lord who struck him on his side.  In the second instance, the angel of the Lord as an executioner brought God’s judgment on Herod who had persecuted the church and accepted worship due to God alone and did not give glory to God.  May the persecuted Church of today be awakened to the angels of God in the reality of the spiritual realm sent by God as ministering spirits to the heirs of salvation.  Amen!

Fight the Good Fight

 “The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a great people; a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together: the LORD of hosts mustereth the host of the battle. They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, even the LORD, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭13‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied, “Listen! A thunderous noise is heard on the mountain, like that of a massive multitude. Listen! Kingdoms are in an uproar; nations are assembling together. The almighty Lord Yahweh is mustering an army for war. They are coming from a faraway land, from the end of the heavens. Here comes Yahweh with His instruments of judgment, ready to ravage the entire earth.”  This was a prophesy Isaiah spoke against Babylon which happened some years later. In our time, it is for the Church to awake as Joel said, “Blow the shofar in Zion, sound the alarm on My mountain of holiness! Shake the people awake, for the day of Yahweh is coming. Yes, it is almost here.”  Paul also warns us of “the unveiling of the Lord Jesus from heaven with His messengers of power within a flame of fire. He will bring perfect and full justice to those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to embrace the Gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction, banished from the Lord’s Presence and from the manifestation of His glorious power. This will happen on that day when He glorifies His holy ones, and they will be marveled at in all those who believed—including you, since in fact, you believed our message.”  Even Jude says, “He comes to execute judgment against them all and to convict each one of them for their ungodly deeds and for all the terrible words that ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.”  The heavenly sons and daughters of God are also consecrated, mighty ones and warriors, who rejoice in Christ’s triumphant victory.  Today let’s fight the good fight of faith in our spiritual warfare for victory, to God’s glory.  Amen!